ABSTRACT
Continuing professional education (CPE) and systems of continuing professional development (CPD) are being challenged to change dramatically across many contexts. Over the last two decades, CPE has moved from a focus on episodic delivery to a planned/sustained delivery, from a focus on the adult learner to a focus on patient and client outcomes, and from education at remote locations to job embedded training (Day and Sachs 2004). These changes are reflected in the broader conception of CPD, as opposed to continuing education. This chapter will provide a rationale for this broader conception, analyze CPD within social and global contexts, and discuss the movement towards developing systems of lifelong professional development and learning. The chapter will conclude by examining trends in professional practice that have implications for the future of CPE.
